The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-05


first time he heard the word 'seditor;n
but he did not even guess the meaning.
Before he went to sleep, he had taken
pains to learn that an editor is man
"who makes newspapers"
So far as quality is considered, it was
not for him to say that the friend of his
youth was not prophet. But for guam
tity he stood without peer in the de-
nomination. Thomas Whittemore was
a UNCONVENTIONAL editor thirty years.
'hout break he was editor of the
CHRISTIAN LEADER and its predeces-
sors, twenty-five years. Prior to that he
was editor of the Universolist Quarterly
seven years. Prior to that he was an
editor of Universalist paper in Ohio
two years-all told three years in excess
of the service of DR.. Whittemore.
He once heard Rev. Sebastian Street
er say, that while an editor must write,
and select and correct, his best Office is
that of "a strainer p" The first time he
entered paper mill, he was shown the
vat containing the filthy and noisome
rags. At the other end was the clean
white paper. The superintendent
showed him an apparatus, passing
through which the foulness was left
behind, and the pulpy stream flowed
clear and white; and it was explained
to him, that the apparatus was "a sort
of strainer g" If the people who get
the CHRISTIAN LEADER-so orderly, so
symmetrical, so ineligible, and so
beautiful-could only see the heteroge-
neous and not always savory mass,
which in order to make the printed
sheet, had been strained" through the
alembic, they would have some sympa-
thy, if not admiration, for the editorial
cleanser and rectifier and shaper. Some
times it strains out only gnats; but at
times whole camel.
He began his career as a journalist as
a letter writer. 1t was ''humble vo-
cation" on the ''lowest grade''-now
filled by DR.. Gunnison (who was before
the speaker in the audienceD He had
at the outset won fame. There was
nothing like his correspondence. But
now the Gunnison star had risen, and
he was eclipsed- now, here, every
where it is Gunnison,' Gunnison."
Nobody has even tear for his shelved
predecessor. But would they only look
in sympathy at the ''strainer'' through
which this idol of Gunnison had pass
ed, they might have some sympathy,
perhaps pride, for the brilliant CORE
spondent of earlier days.
The speaker then proceeded to give
"by the BILL" list of the great changes
which have come over the religious
community since the Publishing House
began its work.
In conclusion the speaker said that it
would be silly in any one person to
claim that all the improvements and
the enterprises Of the CHRISTIAN LEAD
Err were his own. Certainly, he should
make no such preposterous pretense.
Many had suggested and helped. In
one particular he wanted to say-and
it is but justice to have it said that
the Church News Department, which
has attained great proportions, and
which is salient feature-was largely
due to the enterprise and industry of
the publisher, Mr.. Charles Caverly,
who had genius for that important
work. His closing word was the ex-
pressing of hope that whoever stood
in his present place when the next
twenty-five brought Semi Centennial
could tell story equally good, for has
quarter of century.
ADDRESS BY MRS. PATTERSON.
In felicitous and complimentary
terms, DIR. Miner introduced the editor
of the Home Department in the CHRIS
TAN LEADER, Mrs. Jane l.. Patterson.
Mr.. President and Friends
The Universalist Publishing House
pours many streams of refreshing into
the life OF the denomination. The books
it offers are written from the high levels
OF thought, and will bear to your homes
enlarging and benefcent influences. No
book of doubtful moral or religious value
ever bears our name. That name is
guarantee that your child is in safe,-yes
in uplifting hands while porting over the
pages Of our publications.
But in this age of quick heart-beats,
the newspaper is the chief educator of
the people. Its influence in molding
opinion is unreasonable. The weekly
paper sent out by this House, comes to
you with its line upon line and precept
upon precept, reinforcing good resolu-
ton, quickening religious enthusiasm.
strengthening the moral sentiments
building character.
The Christian believer finds in it, that
bread which cometh down from heaven;
the seeker after truth a lamp guiding
into the light and peace of believing.
The great doctors of the church give it
their noblest thought; and the woman
whose inner lives are intense and yearn-
ing. are supposed to speak out of expert
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